Plaid Cymru's emphatic Ynys Mon by-election win

Plaid Cymru has retained the seat of Ynys Mon in a by-election to the Welsh assembly with an emphatic victory.

Former BBC Wales presenter Rhun ap Iorwerth secured a majority of over 42% or 9,166 votes.

Labour secured second place despite the efforts of UKIP who came third, their best ever result in a Welsh assembly seat.

The Conservatives' vote collapsed by 20% while the Lib Dems were beaten into last place by Socialist Labour.

The by-election was prompted when former Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones stood down in June.

Mr ap Iorwerth said after his victory: "I am delighted that the people of Anglesey have put their faith in me to represent them in the assembly.

"The real work starts today. I am passionate about building a brighter future for the people of the island, where I was raised and where I am raising my family."

Many had expected a Plaid Cymru victory but the scale of it was a surprise to many.

It became clear very early on that it would be a good night for the former BBC broadcaster.

Mr ap Iorwerth took 58% of the overall vote - with more than 12,600 votes.

Welsh Labour threw everything they had at this campaign, believing they could make a battle of it with Plaid for the seat that would have given them a majority in the assembly.

In fact, with a 42% turnout, they found themselves in a real fight with UKIP for second place; only a few hundred votes separating them.

The other parties were swept aside.